Reporter/Columnist | Vikings/NFL

A native of Northeast Ohio, Craig covered the Cleveland Browns from 1991 until they left for Baltimore in 1995. When they returned as an expansion team in 1999, Craig left to cover Gophers football for the Star Tribune. He co-authored two books on the Browns and is the author of the Vikings book "100 Things Vikings Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die."


Jacky Chen's journey: Sneaking onto the field to signing with the Vikings

The offensive lineman from a Division II college out east — the son of Chinese immigrants — is one of the more unlikely undrafted free agents at the Vikings' offseason workouts.


5 games to watch: Kickoff curveball, Rodgers' debut, dueling quarterbacks

The schedule-makers are putting faith in an unexpected place for the Thursday night season-kickoff game, going with Lions team that hasn't won a playoff game in three decades to play Super Bowl champion Kansas City.


NFL schedule release preview: Rodgers' Jets, games on Black Friday

On Thursday, we find out which teams will be on TV while we eat leftover turkey and when Aaron Rodgers will first take the field in Jets green. Here are some NFL schedule release day story lines to follow.


Dedicated and team-first, 'Hennepin Avenue Joe' earned wide respect

Known for wobbly passes and a bold leadership style, Joe Kapp came to the Vikings late in his professional career after playing in the Canadian Football League.


Cousins ready to 'earn the right' to be Vikings QB of the future

After the Vikings pondered drafting his replacement ahead of his last season under contract, quarterback Kirk Cousin said he's out "to prove it again and prove it again."


Five Extra Points: Philly still rules, Packers should have done better

By stocking big defenders from Georgia, the Eagles appear to have either won the draft or finished close to the top. Here are Mark Craig's five main thoughts on the draft.


Vikings grab a quarterback in fifth round along with a defensive tackle

The Vikings used their picks in the fifth round to take a flier on a QB in Jaren hall of Brigham Young and address an under-the-radar need for an inside pass rusher by choosing LSU's Jaquelin Roy


Five Extra Points: Adofo-Mensah's sadness, Lions blast your mock draft

GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah took awhile to join the fray as a flurry of trades and cornerback picks, some involving the NFC North rival Lions, marked Friday's rounds.


Five extra points: Lions make leaps, Texans take big swings, Bears boring

Detroit made puzzling moves while still being in the unusual position of being the team to beat in the NFC North. What about the Vikings' other division rivals?


First-round mock draft: QBs fly off the board. How will Vikings fly?

With quarterbacks (and cornerbacks) expected to be popular targets with the opening picks, what will the Vikings do when they step up with the 23rd pick of the first round? Maybe fill a different need?